The Nook

Not just for digital reading!

Matt and I started our day with some outdoor activity. He’s very much into fast running, and I am very much into brisk walking. I can definitely still run now – there’s no uterus or fatigue reason why I couldn’t have ran. But I’m just SO much more into walking. I don’t know if I’d use to word lazy because walking for an hour isn’t like sitting on the couch, but I definitely think I’m sort of using pregnancy as an excuse not to run in this freezing cold weather. But I guess there is also a part of me that doesn’t really want to push myself very hard, and running is definitely hard. Especially since I’ve gotten out of the habit. And it’s so cold (AND HILLY) here. I’d much rather bundle up in my down coat and listen to a podcast on my phone! So walking is my workout of choice (mixed with Body Pump, spinning and hopefully pre-natal yoga coming in the second tri).

After our workout, which took us to the scenic Riverview Park, we showered up and then headed to brunch to meet Brain, Jeb and Steve, the fraternity bros from yesterday.

Two mugs of [decaf] coffee for me! I’ve had caffeine on and off from tea, chocolate and a cappuccino or two when I forgot to request decaf, but am mostly sticking to decaf coffee.

MY OTHER RECIPES

The Nook is a diner downtown that is super famous in Cville. It’s been on our list to visit since we moved here, but the food isn’t exactly of the fru-fru style that we love most (Blue Grass Grill & Bakery is my top favorite brunch spot – for the wheat biscuits!) But the menu at The Nook was extensive and breakfasty.

I ended up ordering scrambled eggs, which came with bacon and rye toast

And instead of home fries, I added on a blueberry pancake.

I polished off most of this meal – and was surprisingly just satisfied and not full. I swear my appetite is strong as ever. And I think I’m doing great with first tri weight gain (actually lost a pound between appointments), so I must be doing a good job of eating mindfully.

Despite my mac and cheese obsession, Matt was the one who ordered it – the Crabby Mac. I’m glad I didn’t order it because it was very garlicky thanks to the breadcrumbs on top, and garlic is currently off my pregnant menu.

Fun lunch! Fun day so far! I have no idea what’s in store for the rest of the afternoon.

I have the same question as CM above- is garlic not supposed to be consumed when you’re pregnant? Or is it just one of those things that you can’t bear the thought of right now? Either way, your choices look great! This is going to sound weird but of all of them (pancake included) I’m most excited by the rye toast! I haven’t had rye bread in ages and absolutely love it!

I cannot stand the smell or taste of garlic right now either! And since becoming pregnant, I have abstained from running. Not that I did it much anyway, but my sore boobs can’t handle the bouncing! I’m sticking with walking and the elliptical for my cardio.

Running in the cold or any physical fitness outside is hard! Dreary, windy, rainy, cold…that does not scream hop out the door and get all cracked up about a workout, at all. So I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself 🙂 No one I know “loves” cold weather workouts. Tolerates, but not loves.

And walking is awesome. I walked most of my pregnancy (couldn’t run) and some times “walking” meant simply going around the block. Do what feels right and you’re up to!

I ate at The Nook last time I visited Charlottesville! It was awesomely unhealthy and delicious (the bf and I ordered the country fried steak bfast). The dining options in Charlottesville really make me wish I lived closer. And I haven’t had a chance to say congratulations on the pregnancy! I know it’s an exciting time in your life and it seems as if you’re enjoying it thus far!

Those scrambled eggs look fantastic!! I love breakfasty places like that. There’s one right across the street from my apartment that my friends and I go to all the time for late nights. It’s open 24 hours a day, and I swear there are more people there at 2 in the morning than at brunch time. It’s so strange!

That looks like an amazing breakfast. We are mid-way through our second week without a working range (should be fixed by next weekend!) and I have been craving a good pancakes and eggs breakfast all week!

Oh man, as much as I love blueberry pancakes and eggs, I would not have been able to resist that mac and cheese. And the more garlic, the better, in my humble opinion. Good to hear your appetite is still going strong. Gotta keep up with that growing bundle of joy in your belly 🙂

Walking is such a pleasure! Instead of thinking about how much more you should be doing (running), allow yourself the pleasure of walking as a positive thing. When I’m doing everything right, I sometimes think “I can do more”…its a mental trap. I’ve heard many women get out of that thinking when they’re pregnant/nursing because sharing their body in that vital way teaches them that “oh, my goodness, my body can do amazing things, why should I beat up on myself/my body?” Peace!